11105 is already at H&L Mercedes Service Centre on the Osbaldwick Industrial State in York, and has been used by First at the start of this week for a drive around the appropriate Park & Ride routes. No driver familiarisation has yet commenced, this will take place after Christmas. There has been a problem with the interior seating moquette and therefore this is the only one that is available for (internal) use at this time, it is thought the receipt of the entire batch may not be completed until February 2009.
Interestingly however, Park & Ride artic B7LA 10035 was withdrawn on Monday. This one, along with 10036/7, is destined for First in Somerset & Avon, whilst the remainder (10038-10043) are for First West Yorkshire in Leeds.
It is my understanding that the wrong colour, fabric or both was applied erroneously by Mercedes (given that is is an integral!) and only 11105 has had this rectified thus far, hence it having arrived at the York dealership.
Not sure really, the word going around is that they are for the 95 but in true First style they would probably be used on the 1 as well.
Not sure if they are all going to be in normal livery but certainly the first one due to be done (10042) will be. HP are currently painting 10035-7 in an orange based livery for Somerset & Avon. Think these are for a university service too.
To answer an earlier question, "have they been retrimmed?" The answer is No.
Not sure really, the word going around is that they are for the 95 but in true First style they would probably be used on the 1 as well.
Not sure if they are all going to be in normal livery but certainly the first one due to be done (10042) will be. HP are currently painting 10035-7 in an orange based livery for Somerset & Avon. Think these are for a university service too.
To answer an earlier question, "have they been retrimmed?" The answer is No.
The 3 orange one's are for the 18/418 "Bright Orange" service, serving U.W.E in Bath.
As for using the others on the Number 1 service in Leeds, when Bradford were trying to dispose of these, one was "borrowed" by Kirkstall to test on this route as they were mooted for use here & on the 42's. When they tried to turn left off Malvern Road and up Beeston Road, the bus would not go up the hill with only the driver & 1 manager on the bus!!! Therefore this is part of the reason why they were sent to York instead.
But in true First Leeds style, I don't think that they have thought about seeing if they can get these out of Bodington Hall with people on, as this involves quite a steep hill from a standing start & a number of large speed bumps!
Post by angrycommuter on Feb 17, 2009 17:24:34 GMT 1
Went on one of the new bendies in York. The seating layout is very random, especially at the back with single seats, along with three side seats, all of varying height. The back row has 4 seats with a large "box" at the right hand side. The rear over hang is quite large and the bus scrapped a few of the tighter corners on route.
Post by tommyinyork on Feb 17, 2009 23:19:40 GMT 1
If they don't work out i guess they will end up in Leeds and First York will just end up getting B9 Geminis for Park and Ride and re-route the service so it avoids Leeman Road bridge.
Post by westyorkshirebus on Feb 18, 2009 20:00:00 GMT 1
I very much doubt it. If they didn't work out they wouldn't just transfer expensive buses somewhere that doesn't want them and then buy another set of buses. Plus York City Council won't allow double deckers on the Park & Ride.
Post by westyorkshirebus on Feb 22, 2009 13:51:03 GMT 1
Is it the case that the citaros only appear on the Green Line 2, White Line 3 and Yellow Line 8 services?
I know bendis are banned from the Red Line 7 due to tight access roads at the Designer Outlet
But while in York yesterday there were none on the Silver Line 9 either (which annoyingly was the Park & Ride site I used as it was the only one I hadn't done)
I briefly saw one of the ex-York artics on the 1 on Beeston Road this morning, unfortunately I didn't get the number - first day in service?
Probably 10042 which has been on the 1 today. At about 19:00 it was parked on the Headrow just before the junction with Park Row with hazards flashing. Not sure if it had broke down or had been involved in some other incident.
I saw this at around 19:20 last night, with a Volvo repairs van parked behind it. The mechanic was underneath the Bus, which looked as if it had a suspension problem.